Mission aims to grab piece of Martian moon

A Japanese mission will attempt the first-ever sample return from a Martian moon, aiming to crack the mystery of how Phobos formed – and even shed light on the origins of life in the solar system

MARS MOONS EXPLORATION (MMX) MISSION

MARS
EARTH
PHOBOS
Diameter:
20km12341234

Journey to Phobos
MMX spacecraft leaves Earth
In orbit around Phobos MMX sends rover to surface
MMX lands and collects sample of moon rock
Returns with sample to Earth

MMX SPACECRAFT
Propulsion module
Return module
Exploration module

IDEFIX: Named after dog in Astérix comic books, rover will be released from spacecraft 40 metres above moon’s surface

Weight:
Height:
Width:
25kg
51cm
40cm

Navigation cameras

HOW PHOBOS AND DEIMOS CAME TO BE?
Duo of Martian moons could be asteroids captured long ago in planet’s orbit, or debris from giant collision between red planet and another celestial body

Sources: JAXA, ESA
Pictures: NASA/JPL-Caltech/USGS/University of Arizona
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